A little girl with a huge love for Manchester City who died suddenly has been remembered in the most fitting way, as fans rose to their feet at the Etihad today.
Milly-Rose Stirrup was rushed to hospital last month after complaining of belly ache. Just twelve hours later, the 'healthy' and 'happy' six-year-old was tragically pronounced dead.
The schoolgirl, from Denton, had come from school with a vomiting bug on Tuesday 14 February. But by the Thursday she had woken up saying her belly and heart felt sore.
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She was rushed to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where she continued to deteriorate. The cause of her death has not been formally given, but doctors believe she was suffering from Sepsis.
Her devastated parents, Shaun and Pip Stirrup, are still coming to terms with the shock of their daughter's death, and thanked the help and support from the local community.
Moved by Milly-Rose's story, Manchester City fans began planning how to commemorate the youngster at the Etihad - where she and her parents were regulars.
During the Blue's game against Newcastle this afternoon, a huge round of applause could be heard as tens of thousands of fans rose to their feet to remember her during the sixth minute - to celebrate her short but happy six-year life.
An emotional video shared by sports journalist, Tom Young, showed the moment as sounds of chanting and shouting were replaced by clapping.
A short time later, Phil Foden also dedicated his opening goal to the youngster, as the midfielder kissed his hands and raised them to the sky.
Shaun Stirrup said his daughter was madly in love with Phil Foden. "It would be massive to see her on the screen and for everyone to clap for her, it would be huge," he previously told the M.E.N.
"We are massive City fans and she was in love with Phil Foden. She always said she wanted to marry him.
"Milly-Rose made an impression on everyone. She was an angel sent from above. Teachers would always say if they could design the perfect student she would be it."
Following the round of applause, fans took to social media to pay tribute. One fan wrote: "Supporters did us proud at six minutes. RIP Milly-Rose."
Another said: "Milly-Rose RIP. Once a blue always a blue." Another wrote: "Well done blues! Rest well Milly-Rose."
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